Arson attack on St. Paul’s Parish and Pastoral Training Center in Sangaiprou, Archdiocese of Imphal, Manipur (India) on 03-04.05.2023.
On 3rd May, 2023, around 8.30 pm a mob came by and began smashing and destroying the church and the properties therein. Windowpanes, doors, Interior of the church, statues, crucifix, sound system, musical instruments, etc. and whatever was in the church were smashed and the altar set on fire. They also came inside PTC (Pastoral Training Center), which housed altogether 46 inmates (4 Priests, 37 trainees, one animator, one hostel warden, 3 domestic staff) and sought the identity of the inmates. After identifying the inmates and verifying their identity, they set the Motor cycle on fire and left the place.
The next day, 4th May 2023, around 10.00 A.M. a mob barged in again. The inmates were asked to identify themselves. After verification for multiple time, they left, finding no persons they apparently were looking for.
At around 2.00 pm in the afternoon, they walked into the church, collected the cooking gas cylinders from the kitchen of the PTC, and after piling up all the pews and valuables they smashed, looted, and burnt both the Church and the PTC building.
